Politics

In deal, Oneida will keep casino dominance over central New York

Ryan Delaney — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:07:00 +0000

The Oneida Indian Nation will for the first time share a sizeable chunk of gaming revenue from its casino operation in order to keep competition from the state out its backyard.

Primary challenge for Syracuse council president dropped

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:25:21 +0000

Syracuse Democratic party activist Gary Morris has dropped his bid to become president of the Syracuse Common Council and endorsed current president Van Robinson Monday.

Lawmakers consider delaying vote on allowing casinos

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:48:00 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have tried to jump start negotiations over siting several new gambling casinos in New York. But they also conceded that the plans might be delayed for another year.

Cuomo's abortion rights proposal stalls in Senate

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:12:00 +0000

A key component of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2013 agenda appears in jeopardy, as the governor concedes he does not currently have enough votes in the State Senate to bring an abortion rights bill he has championed to the floor.

Maffei marks 100 days back in office by talking jobs

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:15:00 +0000

Central New York's congressman has marked his first 100 days back in office by laying out a blueprint for jobs and the economy.

Congressional race underway in one district

Sidsel Overgaard — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:22:34 +0000

It may seem like the 2012 elections are barely behind us, but in New York’s 23rd congressional district the race for 2014 is on.

Cuomo says relationship with Syracuse Mayor Miner is "fine"

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:27:18 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says his relationship with Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner is "fine," but the two have not talked in a few months.

IDAs retain right to give out state tax breaks in budget win

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:46:00 +0000

New York's numerous economic development bodies will still have the ability to give out state-level tax breaks in a deal struck with Gov. Andrew Cuomo in state budget negotiations.

Cuomo poll ratings down, but still higher than most pols

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:58:59 +0000

A new Siena College poll finds a slight drop in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s popularity for the third month in a row. The poll finds the governor’s popularity has dropped to 64 percent -- still higher than most politicians in the country -- but an eight point slide from a 72 percent approval rating in December.

Most Republicans Who Signed Support For Same-Sex Marriage Aren't In Office

Don Gonyea — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:40:21 +0000

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

And I'm Melissa Block.

Next month, the Supreme Court will take up a highly anticipated challenge to California's Prop 8, the ban on gay marriage. Today, a group of prominent Republicans weighed in with a legal brief opposing the ban. That puts them at odds with their party's position. But as NPR's Don Gonyea reports, it puts them in line with public opinion.

DON GONYEA, BYLINE: The long-held official GOP position on gay marriage remains in place.

Onondaga County Legislature will voice opinion on state's gun laws

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:12:25 +0000

The Onondaga County Legislature is expected to join a growing list of county governments cementing their opposition to New York's new, stricter, gun control laws.

Advocates say public financing of campaigns could close corporate tax loopholes

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:55:04 +0000

A group pressing for public campaign financing has compiled a list of large corporations who gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to some New York lawmakers. They charge that the donations are preventing the legislature from closing what they say are corporate tax loopholes.

WRVO Election Night Special Coverage

Catherine Loper — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 21:50:23 +0000

WRVO News provided regional coverage of election night during live cut-ins of NPR's national election coverage. Our reporting covered three congressional districts, Assembly races, the balance of the state legislature, and the U.S. Senate race.

We believe our coverage was comprehensive, fair and up-to-the-minute, but also thoughtful and analytical. Given our large region and small staff, we are proud of the service we provided our listeners.

Cuomo's approval down, following new gun law

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:54:00 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s championing of strict new gun control laws in New York state has taken a toll on his popularity. A new poll finds that for the first time since taking office, Cuomo’s approval rating has dropped significantly.

State Senate approves toughest in nation gun laws, Assembly to act Tuesday

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:36:42 +0000

The New York state legislature is passing the toughest in the nation gun control laws laid out by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The Senate voted late Monday evening , and the Assembly is expected to act Tuesday morning.

Ann Marie Buerkle on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle recently ended her term the way she first ran for the office—standing up for conservative principles. She voted against the fiscal cliff compromise, on the grounds that it did not address the deficit and government over-spending. But she was defeated last November by Dan Maffei, the man she unseated in 2010.

Deal reached to stop the $6 gallon of milk

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:35:20 +0000

Congress seems to have reached a deal to stop milk prices from rising to a warned about $6 a gallon in the New Year, but it's unclear if it will be voted on before the end of 2012.

Maffei ready to deal with fiscal cliff if need be

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:57:29 +0000

He won't be sworn in until January, but congressman-elect Dan Maffei is carefully watching the fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington.

Dave Valesky on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:14:01 +0000

A potentially significant new chapter in New York's political history will be written in January, as the State Senate's Independent Democratic Caucus joins with the Republican Caucus to form a coalition majority. On this edition of the Campbell Conversations, State Senator Dave Valesky, a founding member of the Independent Democratic group, discusses how this new arrangement will work, and why joining with the Republicans may actually bring more progressive pieces of legislation to the Senate floor.

Senate forms unprecedented new governing coalition

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:34:00 +0000

The leadership fight in the New York state Senate has been resolved, with a break-away Democratic faction joining with Republicans to form a new governing coalition that involves sharing the title of Temporary President of the Senate.

NY Senate Republicans gain new recruit

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:19:02 +0000

Senate Republicans have gained one more member in the fight for control of the chamber. Newly elected Brooklyn Democrat Simcha Felder says he’ll sit with the GOP.

Matt Bennett on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:43:03 +0000

After the barrage of negative campaign ads, nightly robo calls, and daily mailers, most central New Yorkers are probably thinking, Whew! Glad that’s over. But the time after “the day after” has just begun.

Buerkle concedes 24th District race to Maffei

Ryan Delaney — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 20:59:02 +0000

Republican congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle stepped out of the federal office building in downtown Syracuse this afternoon, gave county party chair Tom Dadey a hug, and conceded the race for New York's 24th Congressional District to Democrat Dan Maffei.

Thruway board expected to vote on truck toll hike

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:25:00 +0000

The New York State Thruway Authority has scheduled a board meeting for Friday afternoon. There is no public agenda yet, but it is believed that the board will consider a 45 percent increase in truck tolls.

Anti-fracking candidates didn't fare well

Catherine Loper — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:29:14 +0000

Anti-fracking sentiment in the Southern Tier was felt at the polls when candidates opposed to drilling were beaten up and down the ballot Tuesday.

Incumbents real winners in NY legislative elections

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 06:37:00 +0000

The vast majority of incumbent state legislators were re-elected Tuesday night, upholding a decades-long Albany tradition.

Maffei claims victory, Buerkle not conceding 24th District race

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:30:45 +0000

In a statement released Tuesday morning, Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle indicated she is still not conceding her race to represent central New York's 24th congressional district, despite trailing by about 4 percent to Democrat Dan Maffei.

Democrats appear to have taken control of State Senate

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:43:47 +0000

Democrats appear to have taken over the State Senate, by a narrow margin. Some races were still being tallied, and others may be headed to a recount.

Stirpe reclaims Assembly seat from Miller

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:17:39 +0000

Democrat Al Stirpe is once again a New York State Assemblyman after defeating Republican Don Miller for a seat that was once Stirpe's.

Owens holds on to North Country congressional seat

Brian Mann and David Sommerstein — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:00:02 +0000

Democrat Bill Owens survived one of the most costly and bitter political campaigns in North Country history last night. He defeated Republican businessman Matt Doheny by about 4,000 votes.